Kitsap, Vashon Island Riders Find Common Ground in Fight for Better Ferry Service

Commuters depart from the ferry Klahowya at the Southworth ferry dock on Tuesday afternoon. Southworth riders frequently take issue with the number of spaces allotted for Vashon riders, but the fight against deep cuts to the ferry system has united the two groups. (LARRY STEAGALL | KITSAP SUN)

Commuters depart from the ferry Tilicum at the Southworth ferry dock on Tuesday afternoon. Southworth riders are among those who are uniting with riders from Vashon Island for a rally at the Legislature next month against a ferries' proposal that could result in service cuts on many routes. (LARRY STEAGALL | KITSAP SUN)

Many ferry riders have given their feedback on the state's current long-range proposals for the state's aging system.

But judging from the rumblings still coming out of ferry communities, there's more left to say.

While lawmakers debate the plans, we're providing a forum for discussion among the riders. Spurred in part by Rep. Larry Seaquist and his suggestion for a 'Plan C' from the citizens, we've set up washingtonferrytalk.com to host a part of that.

At the site, you'll find searchable ferry data, plans to look over, and background news coverage from the Kitsap Sun and other sources.

Use it as you think about a solution. Go there to connect with the group of residents working with Seaquist on the citizens' plan and to follow their work. Use the forums to ask questions that other riders or experts may know, or pitch your own idea to really lend a hand to your elected officials.

It's a public-policy decision being made as the WSF future is determined, and we want washingtonferrytalk.com to help make sure the "public" part of it is included.

Hundreds of ferry riders plan to rally at the Capitol in three weeks.

A grass-roots effort begun by Vashon Island residents is spreading to all ferry communities. Their unifying mission: Snuff Plan B.

Washington State Ferries released a draft long-range plan in December with two options, A and B. They represent the least and most service the ferry system says it can provide. It's up to the Legislature to decide what it will pay for.

Plan B would kill the Anacortes-Canada route and replace a 46-car boat with a 34-car ferry at Point Defiance-Tahlequah. Between 2011 and 2013, the Bremerton-Seattle and Southworth-Vashon Island-Fauntleroy routes would each lose a boat. The state would hope that local governments augment service with passenger-only ferries.

About 1,350 people recently attended 10 public hearings about the plan. Nearly 400 testified, said WSF spokeswoman Joy Goldenberg. More than 500 other comments were received. Nine hundred people showed up to McMurray Middle School on Vashon, population 11,000, and 400 had to be turned away. Goldenberg couldn't say whether anybody had a good word for Plan B.

They're looking at it because the governor asked WSF to draw up a plan that needs no new revenue. Even Plan B would leave the state in a $1.4 billion hole over the next 22 years. Plan A, which would keep service about the same, would run a $3.5 billion deficit.

"Ferry riders aren't alarmed that there are cuts or fare increases, they're alarmed because they don't think Plan B is viable," said Jane Bedinger, who serves on the Southworth ferry advisory committee.

WSF is changing the draft plan based on the public comments and will release a revised edition on Saturday, Goldenberg said.

A Save Our Ferries rally, organized by Vashon residents and the Ferry Community Partnership, is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 18. At that time organizers hope to present thousands of petitions to state leaders, asking them to adequately fund the ferries.

Southworth riders have long complained about Vashon getting 70 percent of car spaces to their 30 percent, but they're allies now because they could lose a shared boat.

"They got the ball rolling, but we're kicking it like crazy," Bedinger said.

The rally and petitions mesh with another public effort — Citizens Write Plan C — where people are trying to come up with a third option for the Legislature. The next meeting is 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 7 at the Norm Dicks Government Center in Bremerton.

Riders' usual route-specific complaints are being pushed aside this year by system-wide issues.

"If we don't get funding, we all lose," said Kari Ulatoski, who is chairwoman of the Vashon-Maury Island Community Council transportation committee and sits on the island's ferry advisory committee. "That's the whole point to reaching out to all of the ferry communities. We all are going to have something to lose — our quality of life, our money, our jobs possibly."

Debbi Lester of Bainbridge Island said the Ferry Community Partnership, which has members from every ferry community and is growing like crazy, has joined forces with the Plan C group. She reiterated the need to stay together.

"That's how they conquer us. They divide us and make us fight against each other, and we are not going to do that at all (this time), she said. "We are a unified voice. If there's one message, it's save our ferries, period."